British journalist Richard Butler was rescued after a raid by Iraqi troops in Basra. He described his ordeal to Iraqi media. AFP:Iraqi security forces freed a British journalist kidnapped two months ago in the main southern city of Basra after a fierce firefight with his abductors, a defense ministry official said Monday.
The journalist, Richard Butler, was shown on state television soon after his release surrounded by Iraqi military officials who hugged him and gave him a round of applause before sitting down with him to share a meal.
Wearing a T-shirt, the tousle-haired Butler, who had been on assignment with US television network CBS when he was abducted along with his Iraqi translator on February 10, praised the soldiers who had freed him.
"The Iraqi army stormed the house and overcame my guards. I had on the hood that I always was made to wear," he said, adding that when he removed the hood he had found the room full of soldiers.
Looking healthy and relaxed, Butler added: "I am looking forward to seeing my family and my friends at CBS."
More from Defense ministry spokesman Askari:
"There was some indication that there was a target there, but we didn't know it was the British journalist," Askari said.
"Our forces advanced towards a house and were confronted by heavy fire from four gunmen. The fight lasted for 30 minutes. One of them was arrested but the three others fled. One was wounded.
"When we entered the house, we found the British journalist. He is in good health. We have handed him over to a British general."
Defense Minister Abdel Qader Mohammed Jassim praised the Iraqi forces. "We were looking for weapons and outlaws and ... the operation led us to this hostage who had been held for a long time in a house," he said.
I get the idea the terrorists in Basra are on the run. (video image taken from Al Iraqiya TV via APTN)
